Search All 1 Records in Our Collections

Welcome to the new Collections Search. You can still use the previous version of the site at this link.

The Museum’s Collections document the fate of Holocaust victims, survivors, rescuers, liberators, and others through artifacts, documents, photos, films, books, personal stories, and more. Search below to view digital records and find material that you can access at our library and at the Shapell Center.

Two German 61st Artillery gold shoulder straps with crossed cannons and numeral 61 owned by Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

a. Rectangular, dark yellow wool shoulder board with a straight and a pointed end with a finished buttonhole stitched with yellow thread. Sewn below the buttonhole are 2 red wool crossed cannons shooting flames above the red chain stitched number 61. The cannon edges and flames have red cord accents. There is slight wear at the pointed end.b. Rectangular, dark yellow wool shoulder board with a straight and a pointed end with a finished buttonhole stitched with yellow thread. Sewn below the buttonhole are 2 red wool crossed cannons shooting flames above the red chain stitched number 61. The cannon edges and flames have red cord accents. There is slight wear at the pointed end.

Carl Werner Lenneberg was born on November 5, 1899, in Remscheid, Germany, in the Rhineland in Prussia. He had an older brother Georg, born on July 7, 1898. The family was Jewish. Their father, and later Werner, and his family owned a store Remscheid. Fritz was a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Reserve Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. He was awarded several medals for his combat service. In January 1933, Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. Under the Nazi regime, Jews were targets of government persecution. They were prohibited from working in many fields and many businesses were confiscated. Werner’s fiancé, Hildegarde (Hilde) Hilb, born in 1912 in Ulm, emigrated to America in May 1937. Fritz and Georg were arrested during the November 9-10, 1938, Kristallnacht pogrom and sent to Dachau concentration camp. Werner was assigned prisoner number 29673 and George 29674.

They were released on December 1. They booked passage on the MS St. Louis with Hilde’s brother Fritz Hilb, born in 1919, in Ulm. The ship left for Havana, Cuba, on May 13, 1939, with 937 passengers, most of them Jewish refugees escaping Nazi oppression. During the voyage, Werner wrote nearly daily letters to Hilde as well as others in Germany. On May 26, the day before they were to land in Havana, he wrote that there were constant rumors that they were going to be sent back. When the ship entered the harbor, passengers were not allowed to disembark. Werner had no idea why and there was a lot of unrest. The captain announced that a committee was being formed to pass along news, but they were given no information. On June1, Werner read in the newspapers that the ship’s dilemma had become a worldwide sensation. On Thursday evening, they are told that they would be sailing away from Havana on Friday because the Cuban president would not negotiate with the ship in harbor. This increases the passengers’ nervousness and rumors range from getting refuge in America to going back to Germany. On June 2, Werner writes that an American named Ms. Goldschmidt announced that they would not be going back to Germany but that nothing else was certain. After 6 days, they left Havana and on June 3 were cruising in sight of Miami. Unrest on the boat continued to rise. On the evening of June 6, a telegram was posted saying that it was agreed they could land on the Cuban island of Pinosa. The ship turned back to Cuba, the passengers celebrated, and Werner sent telegrams with the news. The next morning, a telegram with completely contradictory news is posted and the ship changes to a northern course. Werner vows not to telegram again until he is on land. It is very dreary on board. On June 9, Werner writes that the experience brings back memories of the war and how they were given so many shifting reasons for why the front was being pulled back. On June 13, they are “on the Atlantic bound for Europe.” They are told that they will be landing outside Germany, but this does nothing to calm the passenger’s distress. Finally, on June 14, the passengers are told that France, Belgium, Holland, and England will let the boat dock and the passengers land. The ship docked in Antwerp, Belgium, on June 17 and Werner, Georg, and Fritz were in the group granted asylum in Belgium.

The three men got an apartment in Brussels, along with another shipmate, Fritz Buff. Werner and Georg used the time to continue learning English. Fritz Hilb left for England and, in February 1940, sailed from Liverpool on the Scythia. On April 11, 1940, Werner and Georg left on the SS Westernland from Antwerp, arriving in New York on April 25. On April 27, Werner married Hilde. They settled in New York City and had a son. George Americanized his name. Werner, 76, died in April 1976 in Queens. Hilde, 77, passed away in March 1989.

Record last modified: 2018-01-16 10:08:59
This page: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn44448

Also in Carl Werner Lenneberg collection

The collection consists of World War I medals, ribbons, and shoulder boards, currency, a DRL sports badge, correspondence, documents, and photographs relating to the experiences of Carl Werner Lenneberg and his family before the Holocaust in Germany, during their voyage on the MS St Louis in 1939, and emigration to the United States in 1940.

Fragment of a WWI anti-aircraft gun fuse saved by Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Reserve Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

German Army dog tag issued to Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Haborús Emlékérem kardokkal és sisakkal [Commemorative Medal for World War I], awarded to Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. The medal was established in 1929 by the Kingdom of Hungary to acknowledge those who participated in the Great War (1914-1918.) The crossed swords and helmet mark this as the version presented to combatants. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

DRL Sport Badge, silver grade, with swastika awarded to Carl Werner Lenneberg. DRL [Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen / German Imperial Commission for Physical Exercise] replaced the DRA [Deutscher Reichs-Ausschuss / German National Committee for Physical Training) in 1934. The silver grade badge was for those from 18-32 who passed the national fitness test for 8 years or those from 32-40 who passed the tests within a 12 month period. The 1913 Olympics and Germany's selection as the next host city generated widespread interest in physical fitness and led to the institution of a national sports badge. Earning a badge was a significant accomplishment. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After their release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York. a

German buttonhole ribbon bar with crossed swords and two ribbons awarded to Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. The top ribbon is the Honor Cross 1914-1918 and the bottom ribbon is the Commemorative Medal for World War I. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Das Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914 1918 [The Honor Cross of World War 1914/1918) awarded to Carl Werner Lenneberg for serving in combat in the German Army during the First World War. The award was established by President Paul von Hindenburg, on July 13, 1934. This was the first official WWI service medal of the Third Reich, often referred to by an unofficial name, Hindenburg Cross. Hindenburg, Field Marshal of German forces during WWI, appointed Hitler as Chancellor in January 1933, and soon a Nazi dictatorship ruled the country. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Carl and his brother were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were accepted into Belgium. In April 1940, they left from Dunkirk for England, and then the United States.

Weimar Germany 100 mark banknote saved by Carl Werner Lenneberg. This currency was issued by the new democratic government that ruled Germany after World War I (1914-1918), just as they entered a period of hyperinflation that threatened the stability of the county. During the war, Lenneberg was a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Weimar Germany 10 billion mark note saved by Carl Werner Lenneberg. This currency was issued by the new democratic government that ruled Germany after World War I (1914-1918), when it was in a period of hyper inflation that threatened the stability of the country. During the war, Lenneberg was a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Aachen District, Germany 20 billion mark note saved by Carl Werner Lenneberg. This note was emergency currency, valid for one year, 1923-1924, issued by the local government in Aachen during the period of hyperinflation that threatened the stability of the country. Inflation was unstoppable: in 1919, there were 47 marks to a dollar; in 1922, it went from 1000 to 7000; in 1923, from 17,000 to 4,200,000,000,000. Lenneberg was a decorated World War I veteran orginally from Remscheid. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Remscheid District, Germany 500 million mark note saved by Carl Werner Lenneberg. This note was emergency currency, valid for one year, 1923-1924, issued by the local government in Remscheid during the period of hyperinflation that threatened the stability of the country. Inflation was unstoppable: in 1919, there were 47 marks to a dollar; in 1922, it went from 1000 to 7000; in 1923, from 17,000 to 4,200,000,000,000. Lenneberg was a decorated World War I veteran originally from Remscheid. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Documents, photographs, and correspondence illustrating the experiences of Carl Werner Lenneberg [donor’s father], born in Remscheid, Germany, who was on board the MS St. Louis with Georg, his brother, and Fritz Hilb, his future bother-in-law. Included are documents detailing their emigration from Germany, their plight on board the St. Louis in 1939, photographs on board the ship as well as a journal Carl kept throughout the voyage.

Striped ribbon of the Das Ehrenkreuz des Weltkriegs 1914 1918 [The Honor Cross of World War 1914/1918) awarded to Carl Werner Lenneberg for serving in combat in the German Army during the First World War. The award was established by President Paul von Hindenburg, on July 13, 1934. This was the first official WWI service medal of the Third Reich, often referred to by an unofficial name, Hindenburg Cross. Hindenburg, Field Marshal of German forces during WWI, appointed Hitler as Chancellor in January 1933, and soon a Nazi dictatorship ruled the country. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Carl and his brother were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were accepted into Belgium. In April 1940, they left from Dunkirk for England, and then the United States.

Ribbon of the Haborús Emlékérem kardokkal és sisakkal [Commemorative Medal for World War I], awarded to Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. The medal was established in 1929 by the Kingdom of Hungary to acknowledge those who participated in the Great War (1914-1918.) The crossed swords and helmet mark this as the version presented to combatants. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Striped ribbon of the Haborús Emlékérem kardokkal és sisakkal [Commemorative Medal for World War I], awarded to Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. The medal was established in 1929 by the Kingdom of Hungary to acknowledge those who participated in the Great War (1914-1918.) The crossed swords and helmet mark this as the version presented to combatants. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Wrapped ribbon of the Haborús Emlékérem kardokkal és sisakkal [Commemorative Medal for World War I], awarded to Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. The medal was established in 1929 by the Kingdom of Hungary to acknowledge those who participated in the Great War (1914-1918.) The crossed swords and helmet mark this as the version presented to combatants. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Two German WWI 8th Artillery gold shoulder strap with crossed flaming cannons and numeral 8 owned by Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Single German WWI 8th Artillery gold shoulder strap with crossed flaming cannons and numeral 8 owned by Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Single German 61st Artillery gold shoulder strap with crossed cannons and numeral 61 owned by Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Two German 8th Artillery grey shoulder straps with the numeral 8 owned by Carl Werner Lenneberg, a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Airmail box used by Carl Werner Lenneberg to store his World War I (1914-1918) medals and ribbons. Lenneberg was a soldier in the 8th (Rhenish) Foot Artillery Battalion, XVI Army Corps, German Army, during the First World War. In January 1933, Hitler and the Nazi regime took power. Anti-Jewish policies put increasingly harsh restrictions on Jewish life. Werner and his brother Georg were arrested during Kristallnacht, November 9-10, 1938, and sent to Dachau concentration camp. After release, they left Germany on the ill-fated voyage of the MS St. Louis to Havana, Cuba, May 13-June 17, 1939. Upon the ship's forced return to Europe, Carl and George were in the group given asylum in Belgium. In April 1940, they sailed from Antwerp to New York.

Learn about over 1,000 camps and ghettos in Volume I and II of this encyclopedia, which are available as a free PDF download. This reference provides text, photographs, charts, maps, and extensive indexes.